SWENSON PARK GOLF COURSE (1952)

 

CENTRAL VALLEY REGION

Municipal - 27 hole - cost: $11 - $25

6803 Alexandria Place, Stockton, CA 95207

Tel: (209) 937-7360

 

Designed by Jack Fleming. Though this flat course boasts few bunkers and just two water holes, its wooded parklike setting makes for enjoyable golf. Swenson Park also has a 1,380 yard par­3 nine-hole course designed by Robert Muir Graves. From within Stockton: Off I-5, exit Benjamin Holt and head east. Turn left on Alexandria Place. Swenson Park is on the left across from the high school.

 

SYCAMORE CANYON GOLF CLUB (1992)

 

CENTRAL VALLEY REGION

Public - 18 hole - cost: $13 - $19

500 Kenmar Lane, Arvin, CA 93203

Tel: (661) 854-3163

 

Designed by Robert Dean Putnam. Although landing on the level fairways should be easy for the player who can hit the ball semi-straight, you can't ignore the water, which comes into play on 14 holes. The greens are average size and sloping. From Bakersfield (about 18 miles southeast to the course): Drive south on Highway 99 to Bear Mountain Boulevard (Highway 223). Drive east ten miles to South Derby. Go south approximately three miles to Kenmar Lane. Turn left to the course. Sycamore Canyon In Arvin is my "most improved" course for the Central Valley. It has added some new design features and improved the course conditioning. It has always been a solid design, and now it is getting some TLC.